Are Independent Hearing Officers A Good Idea for Idaho’s Water? (Boise)

Sponsored by the Idaho State Bar Water Law Section

Presented by McHugh Bromley Legal Education, LLC

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

8:30 am – 4:30 pm (MDT)

University of Idaho – Water Center, First Floor

322 E. Front St. – Boise

7.0 CLE credits including 1.0 Ethics

In Person attendance only*

Registration Fee:

Private Attorney                  $400

Government Attorney          $300

General Public                    $200

Students                             $100

Agenda

8:30 am         Overview of the Issue

                            Candice McHugh, McHugh Bromley, PLLC                     

8:45 am         Idaho’s Office of Administrative Hearings, Ensuring Expertise and How to Keep Hearing Officers Independent and Without Bias.

                            Hon. Bryan A. Nickels, Office of Administrative Hearings

9:30 am         What Agencies in Idaho Require Independent Hearing Officers Outside of OAH and What is that Process?

                            Public Utilities Commission – Commissioner/Deputy AG- Invited

10:00 am       Break

10:15 am       Western States’ Case Studies – What Do Other States Do and What Are Their Ethical Rules for Hearing Officers?

                            Paul Simmons, Esq., Klamath Water Users Association, Retired – Oregon

                            Utah Division of Water Resources Invited – Utah

                            Jim Browitt, Browitt Law Office – Washington

                            Office of Administrative Hearings Invited – Montana

11:45 am       Lunch

12:15 pm      A Judicial Perspective – Do Independent Hearing Officers Do a Better Job Than In-House Hearing Officers?            

                            Justice Roger Burdick, Retired Chief Justice, Idaho Supreme Court

12:45 pm      How Does It Work Within IDWR & Code of Ethics Within the Agency

                            James Cefalo, Idaho Department of Water Resources

1:15 pm         Perspectives on Independent Hearing Officers for Idaho’s Contested Cases On Water Issues

                            Moderator: Candice McHugh, McHugh Bromley, PLLC

                            Panelists:

                            Thomas J. Budge, Racine Olson, PLLP

                            Christopher M. Bromley, McHugh Bromley, PLLC

                            Andy Waldera, Sawtooth Law Offices

                            James Cefalo, Idaho Department of Water Resources

2:15 pm         Summary of Proposed Legislation or Changes Within the Agency

2:30 pm         Small Group/Leader Led Discussions on What We’ve Learned Today – Revisions or Thoughts on Draft Legislation or Changes Within the Agency

3:15 pm         Report from Small Groups

                            Reasons Why We Should Change to Independent HO or OAH

                            Reasons Why We Should Keep Contested Matters within the Agency

4:00 pm         Next Steps/Recommendations Summary

4:30 pm         Program Concludes

*A recording will be made and available on demand after the program.